Shahzar Rizvi bags gold on shooting World Cup debut

After a successful 2017, Indian shooters have had a dream beginning to the new season and won three medals, including a world record gold, on the opening day of the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Mexico on Saturday. 

Rizvi, who was competing in his first senior World Cup, shot a world record score of 242.3 in the 24-shot final to clinch the gold medal for the country. Experienced Rai, however, could manage to shoot 219 to win the bronze while Germany’s Christian Reitz, who won an Olympic Gold in the men’s 25M Rapid Fire Pistol, came in second with 239.7. India’s Om Prakash Mitharval, although, managed to rise above the expectations, he couldn't wrap it up on a high and finished in the fourth position behind Rai with a score of 198.4.

In the women’s 10m air rifle event, Indian teenage sensation Mehuli Ghosh showed her true potential and won the bronze with a junior world record score of 228.4.

While Apurvi Chandela and Anjum Moudgil had all made it to the final, the other two qualifiers had finished at the last two positions in the qualifying event respectively. Ghosh and Anjum Moudgil were in the race to secure a medal till the last few rounds began, but a 9.9 on the 17th shot meant Moudgil ended in the fourth position with a score of 208.6.

Today, Indian players will take part in the men’s 10m air rifle and women’s 10m air pistol. While Deepak Kumar, Ravi Kumar and Arjun Babuta will carry India’s hopes in the men’s event, Mahima Agrawal, Manu Bhaker, and Yashaswini Singh Deswal will be in the contention for a medal in the women’s event.